A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Fort Kochi to Vagamon - motorcycle trip

(C) Surabhi Rajan

Gokul was fantasizing about riding a Royal Enfield for a long time. Amer added momentum to plan this trip from Kochi with caferides.com. But working hours and terms and conditions of caferides.com did not match our
requirements. Gokul did a bit more research and found out Arafath Bike Rental (Mob:
9947478328,9995784000), Princess Street,
Fort Kochi. RE Bullet 500, Bajaj Avenger and Yamaha
FZ150- we completed the formalities and got the bikes one day earlier. FZ150 needed a bit of service. Surabhi sponsored his brother-in-law's RE Classic 500. And that was it!

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(C) Surabhi Rajan

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All of us started riding on a fine Saturday morning towards East from
Alleppey via picturesque Changanassery road. After a few pit-stops, we were at
Mundakkayam for breakfast. A brief stop at Panchalimedu was enthralling to
watch the panoramic view of “high-range” of Kerala. Local shop owner Shanthamma
gave us hot black coffee and salted mangoes to go with her stories of migration
to the hills for farming. The locals still get water from the streams and we
ventured into the dense forest to have a look at their infrastructure to siphon
the water down to their homes. Shanthamma's family hails from coastal regions of Kerala, her husband was lured by farming opportunities while working at Sabarimala
as a guard. There is a route to Sabarimala which is not motorable from
Panchalimedu. Further, the roads were excellent for cornering and we reached
Vagamon by 2pm. Misty clouds and a light drizzle satiated our wanderlust.

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(C) Surabhi Rajan

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After
lunch, we decided to find a shelter and Amer had a good recommendation to stretch our back at KMK Resort at Kottupara. Call manager Ravi (Mob: 9495927417,
Tel: 04869 248222) for
rooms (dbl Rs 1500). It was a serendipitous finding that 30min ride from this
resort will take you to a forest near Uluppunni. We walked along the stream into
the forest but couldn’t go too far as it was getting dark. Make sure you return
before dark, or you may get lost in the jungle. There are many routes in the
vicinity, tempting the off-roading enthusiasts.

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(C) Surabhi Rajan

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Next
morning, we decided to take the shorter route to Kochi via
Eratuppetta-Kottayam-Thanneermukkom-Cherthala. We had a bit of adventure on the
way climbing a steep hill 20km from Vagamon town. Bumpy ride until Erattupetta
and further the tarmac is really good. By evening 4pm, we were at Fort Kochi.
Sipping Kahwah tea at Loafers’ Café near Tourist Information Center on Princess
Road, we were contemplating next motorcycle trip.